UTSA Lyric Opera presents 'Hansel and Gretel' March 29-30
(March 25, 2003)--The UTSA Department of Music Lyric Theatre, UTSA Orchestra and Children's Chorus of San Antonio will present Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30. at the Arts Building Recital Hall on the 1604 Campus.
(Editor's Note: Performances were originally scheduled at the Downtown Campus, but the venue was shifted to the 1604 Campus and performance times and dates were changed.
Inspired by Wagner's Parsifal, "Hansel and Gretel" is Humperdinck's most popular work with a lyrical score. The opera opens to a scene of children dancing in and around their cabin in the woods. Their mother returns home to find no food and none of the children's chores completed.
In a fit of rage, she sends her children fleeing, where they fall into the clutches of a witch living in a cottage made of gingerbread children. Through cunning and wit, the children win their freedom.
Marcy Stapp, author of "The Singer's Guide to Languages," prepared a new English translation for the production.
"The English translation in use today is very old and dated," said William McCrary, director of the UTSA Lyric Opera. "I have had the opportunity to work with two of Stapp's translations, 'Carmen' and 'The Magic Flute,' and she always attempts to adapt the same vowel sounds of the original language to her translation."
McCrary isn't the only director who feels a new translation is necessary. Stapp has received several calls recently asking her if she had a translation for "Hansel and Gretel."
"It is exciting to know that UTSA has commissioned something that is needed and will enter the standard American opera repertory very soon," said McCrary.
Admission is $12, $8 for students, military and seniors with identification. To purchase tickets in advance call (210) 458-5685. For more information, call Jasmin Dean at (210) 458-4550.
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2003